Volkswagen Touareg MOT Failures
An analysis of 410,525 real DVSA MOT tests on the Volkswagen Touareg — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: 7L (2003–2010), 7P (2010–2018), Mk2 (2010–2018).
Where the Volkswagen Touareg fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Volkswagen Touareg is parking brake inefficient — this model is 21 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 410,525 MOT tests, 0.1% of all Volkswagen Touareg tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include power steering fault (19x the fleet average), subframe bushes or mounts worn (24x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (19x the fleet average), and emissions failure (55x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Volkswagen Touareg's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 7 categories: Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Volkswagen Touareg before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Volkswagen Touareg's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Volkswagen Touareg specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake inefficient (20x the average) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (16x). power steering fault (14x) and fluid leak (14x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Volkswagen Touareg specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (55x the average) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (24x). seat mounting fault (19x) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (18x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Volkswagen Touareg specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure (31x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (22x). power steering fault (19x) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (18x) also appear frequently.
The shift from parking brake inefficient at lower mileages to fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Volkswagen Touareg specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
V8 TDI timing gear failure (7L/7P) Dangerous
The 4.2 TDI V8 uses plastic timing gears that drive the camshafts and injection pump. Affects 7L/7P.
V8 timing chain and gear failure Dangerous
The second-generation 4.2 TDI V8 timing chain system combines with plastic gears to drive the camshafts. Affects Mk2.
Timing chain stretch and failure (7L/7P) Major
The 3.0 TDI V6 timing chain is positioned at the rear of the engine against the gearbox, making it one of the most expensive timing chain repairs in the automotive industry. Affects 7L/7P.
Air suspension compressor and airbag failure Major
The Touareg air suspension system uses four air springs and a central compressor with desiccant dryer. Affects 7L/7P, Mk2; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Volkswagen Touareg common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Touareg
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Volkswagen Touareg:
Brakes — check for parking brake inefficient, brake hoses perished or damaged. Steering — check for power steering fault. Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about v8 tdi timing gear failure and v8 timing chain and gear failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen Touareg?
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Volkswagen Touareg MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Touareg?
Based on 410,525 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is parking brake inefficient — at 21x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include power steering fault and subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Is the Volkswagen Touareg reliable based on MOT data?
The Volkswagen Touareg has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag v8 tdi timing gear failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Volkswagen Touareg most commonly fails on fuel tank, pipe or hose insecure and brake hoses perished or damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are parking brake inefficient and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or....
How do I check a Volkswagen Touareg's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.